Global HR library
Checklist: benefits for contractors
Why provide benefits to contractors?
As an HR leader, you are responsible for attracting and retaining the talent that will drive your organisation's success. Skilled contractors can supply essential expertise and augment your permanent teams. Nevertheless, in today’s highly competitive market, winning and keeping the best contractors presents a real challenge. One effective way to address this is to extend benefits to contractors similar to those provided to full‑time employees.
12-step checklist to provide benefits to contractors
Legal compliance - Verify that the benefits you extend meet local, state and federal legal requirements, covering tax, immigration and employment rules.
Budget - Assess the cost of providing benefits and ensure it aligns with the budget allocated for contractor remuneration.
Consistency - Apply benefits uniformly to all contractors, irrespective of their location or nationality, to avoid discrimination and maintain fairness.
Tax implications - Evaluate the tax consequences of offering benefits, including any withholding obligations and reporting requirements.
Private medical insurance - Provide private medical insurance to contractors where appropriate, and especially when it is mandatory in their country of residence.
Retirement benefits - Provide retirement arrangements, such as a 401(k) plan or a pension plan, to help contractors save for their future.
Holiday and time off - Allow paid holiday and time off so contractors can rest and reduce the risk of burnout.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Make an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to provide emotional and mental‑health support to contractors.
Professional development - Offer opportunities for professional development, including training and courses, to help contractors enhance their skills.
Communication - Communicate the benefits regularly so contractors understand what is on offer and how to access it.
Flexibility - Provide flexible benefit options that allow contractors to choose the provisions most important to them.
Review and update - Periodically review and update the benefits you offer to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
One platform to manage benefits and compliance globally
Designing benefits packages that are both competitive and compliant is a complex task, particularly for organisations with a global workforce. For companies focused on growth that need to scale international employment, a global employment platform such as Remote is an ideal solution.
Remote delivers benefits packages that are locally competitive while remaining globally compliant. Wherever your employees or contractors are located, they will have access to benefits that meet local legal and regulatory requirements. Whether your workforce is made up of full‑time staff or freelancers, Remote can support you. Our team of global benefits experts can design a customised benefits package that is cost‑effective, locally compliant and inclusive across jurisdictions.
Set up a call to discuss your benefits plans
Manage the entire employment lifecycle for contractors and employees worldwide from a single, straightforward software hub. Remote is the market-leading multi-country payroll provider, providing HR leaders with a simple and efficient way to administer payroll, benefits and compliance for all of your employees and contractors across the globe.
Most importantly, Remote is straightforward to use. Its intuitive, user‑friendly platform gives you central access to all the information you require in a single employment hub. Sign up now and explore the platform!